Well pump



Nov. 1, 1938. D. w. HOFERER WELL PUMP Filed March 1o, i957 @2 Patented Nov. 1, 1938 UNITED lSTATES PATENT OFFICE 2,135,016 WELL PUMP Daniel W. Hoferer, Long Beach, Calif. l 1App1'icaii6n'March 10, 1937, serial No. 130,062

' 1151A claims. (C1. 10s-179) This invention relates to pumps and relates more particularly to Well pumps such asA oil well pumps. A general object of this invention is to provide a practical efficient and very long wear- 5 ing well pump.

Well pumps are usually quite eflicient as long as a satisfactory seal is maintained between the barrel and the plunger. At present it is the common practice to move either the plunger or the barrel the full length of a given stroke so that the same parts of the plunger and the barrel receive the wear resulting from their sealing cooperating during each stroke. When the plunger or the barrel, or both, become worn at their points of sealing cooperation the pump is no longer efficient and must be repaired or replaced.

Another object of this invention is to prov-ide a well pump in which the plunger wear is distributed in a manner to greatly prolong the efficiency and the life of the pump.

Another object of this invention is .toprovide aA well pump in which the plunger sealing meansf or packing is subjected to onlyv one-half as much wear as the plunger packing of a typical well pump, thereby greatly prolonging the lifefof the Another object of thisinvention `is to provide an improved nell pump embodying two plungers received in or operating in a single barrel in such a manner that the wear is substantially equally divided between the two plungers materially lengthening the life and eiiiciency of the pump.

Another object of this invention is to provide a well pump of the character mentioned in which one plunger is stationary and is quite short and is carried by a short, stationary column whereby the plunger and column assembly is very rigid.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pump of the character mentioned that requires only two simple valves.

A further object of this i vention is to provide a well pump of the characte mentioned that is simple and/ineggpensive and that is capable of operation/by typical well pumptiacks, etc'.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fully understood from the following detailed description of a typical preferred form and application of the invention, throughout which description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of the lower portion of the pump `-provided by this invention anchored within a well tubing, illustrating the lower plunger in side elevation. Fig.

2 is agmgitudinal detailed sectional view of the upper portion of the pump with the tubing omitted, and illustrating the upper plunger in side elevation, and Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic longitudinal sectional view of the pump showing the barrel and the moving plunger at the lower ends of their strokes.

The present invention is capable of embodiment in well pumps for use in particular situations and under various operating conditions andin well pumps having various renements such ais special types of packing, valves, etc.- In the present disclosure I prefer to disclose a simple, typical ernbodiment of the invention. The simple form of the invention illustrated in the drawing includes, generally, a floating or free barrel I0, a stationary plunger II entering one end of the barrel III, a standing valve I2 on the plunger II, a reciprocable plunger I3 entering the `other end of the larrel III and a working valve I4 on the plunger 2O The barrel II) may be a simple, tubular member or structure, as illustrated. In practice the barrel I0 may be of substantial length, it being understood that the length of the barrel I0 depends Nuponvthe stroke of the pump. A puller nut I5 is 25 provided on the upper end of the barrel I0. The

nut I5 may be threaded into the upper end portion of the barrel I0. A similar nut I6 may be provided on the lower end of the barrel I0. In accordance with the invention the barrel Ill is oating or unsecured, that is, it is lslackly connected or associated with the standing plunger I I and the reciprocable plunger I2 p The plunger I I is the stationary element of the pump. The plunger II is received in the lower ,portion of the barrel I0, being carriedfby a tubular column member I1 which enters the lower end of the barrel. Suitable sealing means is provided on the plunger II for slidablysealing with the interior of the barrel I0. In the illustrative form of the invention shown in the drawing the plunger II has two longitudinally spaced groups or sets of sealing rings I8 having sliding sealing cooperation with the internal surface of the barrel I0. The stationary plunger II preferably has 45 longitudinally spaced portions which have sliding and guiding cooperation with the interior of theV barrel, III. In the case illustrated there are three such guiding portions I9, 20 and 2I provided on the stationary column or plunger II. The por- 50 tion I9 is located adjacent the upper end of the column II. The portion 20 is provided between the two spaced groups of sealing rings I8 and the portion 2I is located adjacent the lower end of the plunger II. The longitudinally spaced por- 55 tudinal movement between the the plunger II space 22 when the pump is 2 tions I9, 20 and 2| in addition to guiding the barrel Inma-y assist in providing a sliding seal between the barrel and the plunger. I I. The tubular column member I1 carrying the plunger II may be somewhat smaller in diameter than the plunger to extend into the barrel I0 with substantial clearance in which case it leaves an annular fluid space 22 in the barrel. The member I 'I extends downwardly through the nut I6 on the lower end of the barrel I0, to be anchored in the well tubing T. The nut allow the free ow of fluid to and from the uid in operation. In'the structure illustrated, the longitudinal opening 23 in the tubular nut I 6 receives the column member I1 with substantial clearance to allow forthe desired fluid flow. The nut I6 may have working tolerance on the member II to serve as a guide, in which case the barrel I0 may be ported to properly vent the uid space 22. The lower end 60 of the plunger II proper may beengageable by the upper end of the nut I 6 to limit relative longibarrel I0 and the plunger II in one direction.

The pump is adapted to be arranged in the well tubing or oil tubing T and the lower end of the column member II to be received in the shoe 24. The anchor 25 may be of typical design having a tapered face 26 sealing with a tapered seat 21 on the shoe 24 and having a split lower end with a shoulder 28 removably latched under a shoulder 29 on the shoe 24. The upper end ofthe anchor 25 may form an upwardly facing shoulder 9 nut I6 may engage to limit or stop the downward travel of the barrel I0 relative to the stationary plunger I I. The lower end of the nut I6 and the shoulder 9 are preferably provided with clutch parts for holding the barrel in practice may have a length one-half the length of the intended stroke of the pump plus the length of its connections with the anchor 25 and, the plunger II. The lower-end of the member I'If 'I'he standing valve I2 is provided on the relatively stationary plunger II and in practice may be any selected orl suitable type of pump valve. The valve I2 may be provided on or connected in in any suitable position. In the form of the invention illustrated the valve I2 is a simple type of ball valve provided on the upper end of the stationary plunger II. 'Ihe valvev I2 includes a cage 30 secured to the upper end of the plunger I I to have communication with its interior. The upper end of the cage 30 is closed by a flat-wall 3| and the cage has lateral fluid ports 32 extending to its upper end to communicate with the interior of the `barrel I0. The standing valve I2 further includes a ball or valve 33 adapted to seat downwardly against a suitable seat 34-in the cage 30 to control communication between the interior of the plunger II and theA interior of the barrel IIJ.

I6 may beformed to The plunger I3 operates in the 'upper portion of the barrel I0 and reciprocates in the barrel under certain conditions of operation and serves to carry and move the barrel I0. The plunger I3 is the positively 35, both of said portions having guiding engagement with the internal surface of the barrel.

The plunger I3 is adapted to be operated or reciprocated by a pump rod R. The pump rod R may be solid or non-tubular as illustrated. In

the barrel I0 maybe ported t properly vent the" uid space 4I. A connection 43 is provided to connect the upper end of the member 40 with the nection 43 is reciprocated by or with-the rod.

The reciprocating plunger I3 is provided with a shoulder 45 adapted to lower end of the nut I5 or a similar downwardly facing shoulder on the barrel I0. lIn the simple structure illustrated this shoulder 45 is the upper' end of the plunger I3 proper. The plunger I3 or the plunger assembly also has'a downwardly operable clutch means are preferably provided on the shoulder 4t and the upper end of the nut I5. In the structure illustrated tongues 46!` are provided in the shoulder 46 to receive notches I5a on the upper end of the nut I5. The tongues 46a engage against thel and the notches I5 may cooperate between its ends to cooperate with plunger parts to replace certain of the shoulders or parts above described for limiting relative movement between the barrel and plungers. The tubular member 40 interposed between the plunger I3 and the lower end of the rod R has a length equal to oneh-alf the length of the pump stroke plus its connections with the plunger and the connection 43.

The working valve I4 is carried by or is movable with the Working plunger I3. The position of the valve I4 may be varied as found most practical and the valve may be of any suitable type. In the construction illustrated the valve I4 is provided on the lower end of the plunger I3 and is of the ball type. The valve I4 illustrated includes a tubular cage 41 threaded on a pin 48 on the lower end of the plunger I3'. A tubular nut 50 is threaded in the lower end of the cage 41 and a replaceable valve seat 5I is clamped between the upper end of the nut 50 and a shoulder 52 in the cage. The valve I4 further includes a ball 53 in the cage 41 adapted to seal downwardly against the seat 5I to control communication between the interior of the barrel Il! and the interior of the plunger I3. A baffle 53a may be provided on the lower end of the pin 48 to limit upward movementof the ball 53 so that the ball does not close oi the opening/in the pin 48 when there is an up-flow of fluid through the cage 41. The exterior or periphery of the tubular valve cage 41 may slidably engage the interior of the barrel I to constitute a third guide portion on the plunger I3 for guiding the barrel. With the parts in the extreme collapsed condition there is suitable space or working clearance between the opposing ends of the cages 30 and 41 of the valves I2 and I4.

In operation let it be assumed that the pump rod R. is at the lower end of its stroke with the lower end of the barrel adjacent the upper end 9 of the anchor 25 and the lower end 46 of the connection 43 adjacent the upper end of the nut I so that the valve I4 on the lower end of the plunger I3 is adjacent to the valve I2 on the upper end of the plunger II, as illustrated in diagrammatic Fig. 3. When the plunger I3 moves upwardly from the lower end of its stroke the valve I4 moves upwardly away from the valve I2 and a reduced pressure is created in the barrel I0 allowing or causing uid to pass upwardly through the anchor shoe 24, the anchor 25, the member I1, the plunger Il and the valve I2 into the barrel I0. 'Ihis upward flow of fluid into the barrel I0 may continue throughout the entire upstroke of the rod R. When the plunger I3 begins its upward stroke it may move upwardly through the barrel I0 which may remain stationary until the shoulder 45 moves `into lower end" of the nut I5. Engagement of the shoulder 45 with the lower end of the nut I5 causes the barrel I0 to be picked up by the plunger I3 so that it moves upwardly with the plunger. Thus the traveling plunger I3 may move upwardly through the barrel until the middle of the up stroke is reached, whereupon it picks up the barrel III.

During the upward movement of the plunger I3 through the barrel I0 the sealing rings 35 slidably seal with the interior of the barrel I0 so that the sealing rings and the interior of the barrel may wear during approximately onehalf of the upstroke of the plunger. When the barrel I0 moves upwardly with the plunger I3 it travels upwardly over the relatively stationary plunger II so cooperation with the that the sealing rings I8 slid-v ably seal with the interior of the barrel. This upward movement of the barrel I0 with the plunger I3 continues during half of the upstroke until the rod and plunger I3 reach the upper end of the stroke. Thus during the iinal or second portion of the upstroke the wear is confined to the sealing rings I8 and the interior of a portion ofthe barrel III. From the above it will be observed that wear resulting from the packing or sealing relation between the barrel I0 and the plungers II and I3 is divided between the two plungers, the plunger I3 receiving the wear during a portion of the upstroke and the plunger II receiving the wear during a portion of the same stroke.

During the above described upstroke of the barrel I0 the uid trapped in the space 22 is freely discharged from or forced outwardly through the nut IB. As described above, the opening 23 receives the tubular member I1 with suilicient clearance to permit this escape of the trapped fluid. During the upward movement of the plunger I3 with respect to the barrel III the fluid in the space 4I is forced out through the opening 42 in the nut I5, there being suicient clearance in the nut I5 to permit this relatively free escape of fluid.

The relative movement between the pump parts during the upstroke may differ somewhat from that described above. The relationship between the parts may be such that the barrel II) moves upwardly with the'plunger during the first portion of the upstroke at the same speed as the plunger or at: a slower speed than the plunger. Ii this occurs the barrel I I) may simultaneously have sliding sealing engagement with both plungers II and I3 but at reduced relative speeds. In any event the wear resulting from the sealing engagement between the barrel and plungers is divided between the two plungers II and I3 and the portions of the barrel I0 engaged by the respective plungers.

At the start of the down stroke of the rod R the plunger I3 starts downwardly, the barrel Ill may move downwardly with it. The barrel I0 may move downwardly with the/,plunger ing the entirer'rstl/hallfwqf, stroke. this occurs the b'a'rrfel 'VIII moves ddwnwardly on the stationary plun'ger II until its downward movement is stopped, whereupon the plunger I3 moves downwardly through the barrel. In actual operation, however, the barrel I0 may move downwardly with the plunger I3 but at a slower rate than the plunger to have movement relative to both plungers simultaneously, and this relative movement may continue throughout the major portion of the down stroke. During the entire down stroke of the pump, fluid is displaced upwardly out of the barrel' IIII through the valve I4, the plunger I3, the member 40 and the connection 43 into the tubing T. This resuits from the relative movement between the plungers II and I3.

It is important to note that-th]l barrel I0, free within limits as illustrated, mayty move relative to the plungers Il and I3 at al speed less than the speed of the moving plunger I3. This may be true during both the up and down strokes. In operation the barrel I0 may move at a speed approximating one-half of the speed of the moving plunger I3 and the plungers II and I3 operate or engage in their respective halves or portions of the barrel I0. The reduced rate of motion of the free barrel I0 relative to the plungers tongues 46a.

I I and I3 is important as it results in reduced wear.

During the down stroke of the pump the fluid capacity ofthe space 22 gradually increases to maximum. Fluid is free to flow inwardly through the opening 23 in the nut I6 to the space 22 so that substantially equal pressures are maintained in the space 22 and the interior of the tubingpT. In a like manner the fluid capacity of the space' 4I increases and uid is drawn through the opening 42 in the nut I5 to maintain substantially equal pressures in 'the space 4I and the tubing T.

If it becomes 'desirable or necessary to tighten the threaded connections in the pump rod R the rod is lowered to bring the pump parts to-positions where the notches I 6a may receive the tongues 9al and the notches I5a may receive the With the parts in this position the be turned in a direction to tighten It will be apparent how the clutch parts on the nut I 6 and the shoulder 9 and the clutch parts on the shoulder 46 and the nut I5 hold the barrel IIJ against rotation relative to the anchor 25 and hold the rod R against turning relative to the barrel I 0 so that the above described rotation of the rod R may tighten its joints. When the pump is to be pulled from the well the rod R is raised or moved upwardly to bring the shoulder 45 against the nut I5 and to bring the nut I 6 against the lower end 60 of the plunger II proper. An upward strainon the rod R will then pull the anchor 25 out of the shoe 24, freeing the pump for removal on theend of the rod R.

The present invention provides a. well pump in which the wear resulting from sealing cooperation between the barrel and plunger is substantially equally divided between two plunger sections or plungers II and I3. Accordingly, the pump of the present invention will operate eiliciently for a much longer period than the pumps heretofore in use where the plunger wear is coniincd to a single plunger and to a single position in the barrel. The pump is efficient and is operative throughout the entire stroke of the pump rod R. The barrel I 0 is effectively guided by the guide portions I9, 20 and 2I of the plunger II and the guide portions 38 and, 39 and the cage'41 of the plunger I3. The standing column IIand thestanding plunger II constitute a relatively short and, therefore, rigid assembly on which barrel Il) moves. The pump does not require Ispecial valves and is practical and effective when embodying two`simple valves, as illustrated.

Having described only atypical preferred form and application of my invention I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specic details herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the art or fall within the scope of the following claims:

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A Well pump including an elongate tube of uniform diameter forming, a movable barrel, a stationary plunger entering one end of the barrel, a movable plunger entering the other end of the barrel, slack connections between the barrel and rods R may its connections.

the plungers whereby the barrel may move with the said second mentioned plunger during a portion of each stroke of the same, and valves controlling uid ow through the plungers.

2. A well pump including, a standing plunger, standing valve controlling flowthrough the standing'plunger, a barrel of uniform internal diameter a standing valve connected forming movable on the standing plunger, a Working plunger movable in the barrel, a working valve controlling ow through the working plunger, and means limiting relative movement between the working plunger and barrel.

3. A well pump including, a' standing plunger, with the standing plunger, a movable barrel of uniform diameter having sealing cooperation with the standing plunger, a working plunger operating in the barrel, a working valve connected with the working plunger, and means limiting movement between the barrel and the standing plunger whereby the wear resulting from the sealing cooperation between the barrel and the plungers may be divided between the plungers.

4. A well pump including, a standing plunger, a standing valve connected with the standing plunger, a length of tubing of uniform diameter a movable barrel having sealing cooperation with the standing plunger, a working plunger operating in the barrel, a working valve connected with the Working plunger, means limiti ing relative movement between the barrel and the standing plunger in one direction, and means limiting relative movement between the barrel and the'working plunger in the other direction.

5. A well pump including, two plungers of the same diameter, one a standing plunger, the other a Working plunger, a length of tubing of uniform diameter forming a barrel surrounding and movable with respect to both plungers, valvesconnected with the plungers, means limiting relative movement between the barrel and the standing plunger and means limiting relative movement between the working plunger and the barrel.

6. A well pump including, two plungers of the same effective diameter, one a standingplunger, the other a working plunger, a length of tubing of uniform diameter forming a barrel surrounding and movable with respect to both plungers, valves connected with the plungers, a slack connection between the barrel and the working plunger whereby the barrel may move with the working plunger for portions of its stroke, and a slack connectfon between the barrel and the standing plunger whereby the barrel may move relative to the standing plunger through certain portions of the strokes of the working plunger.

7. A well pump including, two plungers of the same effective diameter, one a standing plunger, the other a working plunger, a barrel of uniform diametersurrounding and movable with respect to both plungers, valves connected with the plungers, a slack connection between the barrel and the standing plunger limiting movement of the barrel soA that the barrel may move only one half the length of the pump stroke relative to the standing plunger, and a slackconnection between the barrel and the working plunger so that the barrel may move relative to the Working plunger substantially equalto one-half of its stroke. 4

8. A well pump including, twoplungers of the same diameter, one a standing plunger, the other a working plunger, a barrel of uniform diameter surrounding and movable with respect to both plungers, valves connected with the plungers, and means limiting relative movement between the working plunger and the barrel so that such relative movement is approximately one-half the stroke of the working plunger whereby thebarrel may move relative to the standing plunger aplunger a. distance equal to approximately onehalf of the stroke.

9. A well pump including, two plungers, one a standing plunger, the other a working plunger, a barrel surrounding and movablewith respect to both plungers, a valve on the upper end of the u standing plunger, a valve on the lower end of the working plunger, and means limiting relative movement between the working plunger and the barrel so that such relative movement is approximately one half the stroke of the working plunger, said means including spaced cooperable parts on the barrel and the working plunger.

10. A well pump including, two plungers, one a standing plunger, the other a working plunger, a barrel surrounding and movable with respect to both plungers, a valve on the upper end of the standing plunger, a valve on the lower end o! the working plunger, the valves controllingthe'iluld flow to provide for the flow of iiuid ln one direction only, and means limiting relative movement of the barrel with respect to both plungers so that the barrel moves with the working plunger and relative to the standing plunger throughout only portions of the strokes of the working plunger so that the wear resulting from cooperation of the barrel with the plungers is substantially equally divided between the plungers,

11. A well pump including, two plungers, one a. standing plunger. the other a working plunger, a barrel 'surrounding and movable with respect to both plungers, valves connected with the plungers,l

slack connections between the barrel and the plungers, a short column supporting the standing plunger, and an anchor releasably holding the column against movement.

Dm W. HOFERER. 

